Student Association For International Affairs

Main opposition calls on top election board to annul the referendum

Turkey’s main opposition party has vowed to take widespread irregularities during the April 16 referendum to the Constitutional Court and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), repeating its accusations against the election watchdog and calling on the Supreme Election Board (YSK) to annul the referendum results.

“The only way to end ongoing discussions over the referendum’s legitimacy is to annul it. What is necessary is the annulment of this referendum,” a deputy leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Bülent Tezcan, told reporters at a press conference on April 17.

Tezcan said they were preparing their files to apply to the YSK, which agreed to accept unsealed ballot papers as valid halfway through voting day, for the annulment of the referendum, vowing that they would also apply to the Constitutional Court and the ECHR if necessary.

The deputy leader also presented video footage to the reporters, which he said was a proof of the widespread fraud. The footage showed election officials stamping ballots after the ballot boxes were opened and counting started.

“This referendum will take its place in the dark pages of history with its open voting but secret counting. The YSK did not and cannot stage a safe election,” Tezcan said. “This referendum will always be remembered as illegitimate.”

The CHP accused the YSK of deeming unsealed ballot papers as valid even though the Election Law forbids such a practice.